Fence-coupling



(NoModeL) C. F. SMITH. FENGE COUPLING;

No. 595,789. Patented Dec. 21,1897

Allow/1:1

TO UYNO, WASHINOTOR D O W/T/VESSES tion.

NITED STATES ATENT Prion. I

FENCE-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 595,789, dated December21, 1897.

Application filed March 24, 1897. Serial No. 629,030. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHAUNOEY F. SMITH, of Broadway, in the county ofUnion and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and-usefulImprovements in Fence-Couplers; and I do hereby declare the following tobe a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in fences,the object being to provide improved means for connecting fence-panelstogether and to enable them to be set at any desired angle, so that thefence may readily be constructed staggering, like an ordinaryrail-fence, or be formed into different geometrical figures tocorrespond to the plot of ground to be inclosed.

To this end my invention consists in certain novel constructions,combinations, and arrangements of parts in a fence, as will behereinafter more fully described, and specifically set forth in theappended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevational Viewshowing a fence constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is atop or plan view showing two fencepanels connected and illustrating bydotted lines the position to which the panels may be adjusted by meansof my improved connecting means. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showingthe cone and socket bars of the connec- Fig. Iis a vertical sectionalview on the line 4 4 of Fig. 8.

Like numerals designate like parts throughout the several figures of thedrawings.

Referring to the drawings, the numerals 1 2 designate the two panels orsections of a fence. In ordinary fence construction these panels areprovided at each end with posts which enter the ground and thus sustainsaid panels; but my invention contemplates the provision of improvedconnecting means between the panels, whereby said panels may be set atany desired angle relatively to each other and dispense with the postsheretofore employed. The two panels 1 and 2 are each provided at eachend thereof with two parallel panels or post-pieces 3, having a space between them where the horizontal bars of the fence are separated fromeach other. One

member of my improved connecting means is adapted to fit within the saidspace and engage the post-piece 3 on the other panel. The connectingmeans or fastener comprises two parts-a cone-bar4 and a socket-bar 5.Each of the said bars has a body portion 6, having a bolt-hole 7 throughit, through which the bolt 8 passes and secures the same to the sidepanel pieces or postof the fence-panel. Each fastening-piece is alsoprovided with an enlargement or head 9, and the cone-bar 4 is providedwith a cone projection 10, provided around its circumference Withlongitudinallyextending teeth or projections 11. The socketbar piece isprovided with a top ring-socket 12, formed with teeth 13, with whichteeth the cone is adapted to engage. A pin orother fastening devicepasses through the cone when inserted within the socket and holds thecone secure,thus connecting the two adjoining panels together; but thispin is not essential, as any other suitable fastening means may beemployed for the purpose. By this construction it will be seen that thesocket-bar piece and the cone-bar piece may be adjusted so as to jointhe two panels of the fence at any desired angle and that if set at anangle of twenty-two and one-half degrees sixteen panels will make acircle and when placed at an angle of forty-five degrees eight panelswill make a circle. Four panels maythus be connected to form a squareand eight to form an octagon, as will be readily understood. The panelsmay also be joined together at an angle of twenty-two and one-halfdegrees in zigzag or staggered fashion, like an ordinary railfence, andmay thus be employed for fencing fields where it is desirable to have amovable fence.

By myinvention fence panels or pieces may be joined so as to form apasture-lot or as fencing for inclosing'stacks or for penning sheep,hogs, or cattle and also for hog and sheep racks for transportationpurposes, the. It will also be understood that fence-panels connected bymeans of my improved fastening may be readily disconnected or adjustedwhenever desired and that as my invention is very cheap to manufacture afence may be equipped with it at a small cost.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The herein-described fastening device for adjnstably connectingadjoining fencepanels, consisting of two bars, one provided with atoothed cone projection and the other with a toothed socket to engagetherewith, and a fastening device for holding the parts connected,substantially as described.

2. The herein-described fastening device for adjustably connectingadjoining fencepanels, consisting of two bars, one provided with anenlarged head formed With a toothed cone projecting therefrom, and ashoulder in rear of the head, and the other bar provided with a headformed with a toothed socket to engage said cone and shoulders in rearof its head, the said shoulders on the bars serving as stops to limittheir movement, and a fastening-pin passing through the cone to securethe socket-bar thereon, substantially as described.

3. In a fence, the combination of two panpanel having a socket providedwith teeth adapted to engage the said cone and whereby the fasteningdevices may be set at an angle relatively to each other in order thatthe fencepanels may be adjusted correspondingly,

and a pin or other fastening device passing through the said cone andpreventing disconnection of the same from the socket-bar, substantiallyas described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

OHAUNCEY F. SMITH.

lVitnesses:

CLARENCE W. SMITH, FRED E. GUTHERY.

